Solid state drive apparatus

ABSTRACT

A solid state drive apparatus includes a housing having a first accommodation space and a second accommodation space; a substrate mounted in the first accommodation space, wherein at least one non-volatile memory chip is mounted on the substrate; and a heat dissipation member mounted in the second accommodation space and including an isolation barrier that defines a boundary between the second accommodation space and the first accommodation space and a plurality of fin portions that extend from the isolation barrier away from the first accommodation space, wherein a plurality of through air holes are provided in a side of the housing adjacent the second accommodation space.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/188,424; filed Jun. 21, 2016 which claims thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0119818, filed on Aug.25, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to solid state drives, and moreparticularly, to a solid state drives having a housing that accommodateselectronic circuitry of the drive.

Solid state drives are next-generation storage apparatuses that areexpected to replace conventional hard disk drives. The solid statedrives include non-volatile memory devices. The solid state drivestypically have characteristics of low power consumption and high storagedensity, which makes them attractive alternatives to conventional harddisk drives. Also, the use of the solid state drive as a storage devicecan allow fast storage and retrieval of large amounts of data. Thusincreased demand for the solid state drives is expected.

However, as the capacity and/or speed of the solid state drives isincreased, heat generated by the solid state drive may also increase,which can be detrimental to the operation of the solid state drive.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the inventive concepts, a solid state driveapparatus includes a housing having a first accommodation space and asecond accommodation space; a substrate mounted in the firstaccommodation space, wherein at least one non-volatile memory chip ismounted on the substrate; and a heat dissipation member mounted in thesecond accommodation space and including an isolation barrier thatdefines a boundary between the second accommodation space and the firstaccommodation space and a plurality of fin portions that extend from theisolation barrier away from the first accommodation space, wherein aplurality of through air holes are provided in a side of the housingadjacent the second accommodation space.

The plurality of fin portions of the heat dissipation member may extendfrom the isolation barrier towards the lateral side of the housingaround the second accommodation space.

The housing may include an upper housing and a lower housing, and thefirst accommodation space and the second accommodation space are betweenthe upper housing and the lower housing, wherein the isolation barrierthermally contacts the upper housing and the lower housing.

The isolation barrier and the plurality of fin portions may be formed asa single body.

The substrate may is a printed circuit board (PCB) including aheat-conducting wiring, wherein the heat-conducting wiring of thesubstrate and the isolation barrier thermally contact each other.

The heat-conducting wiring of the substrate may be electricallygrounded.

The solid state drive apparatus may further include a connector attachedto an end of the substrate facing a first lateral side of the housing,and a controller chip mounted on the substrate to be adjacent to the endof the substrate.

The heat dissipation member may be mounted to be adjacent to a secondlateral side opposite to the first lateral side of the housing.

The heat dissipation member may be mounted to be adjacent to a portionof the substrate on which the controller chip is mounted.

The isolation barrier may include a first isolation barrier and a secondisolation barrier extending in different directions and connected toeach other, wherein the second accommodation space is arranged at anacute angle between the first and second isolation barrier, and each ofthe plurality of fin portions is connected to the first and secondisolation barriers.

The at least one non-volatile memory chip and the housing may thermallycontact each other with a thermal interface material (TIM) therebetween.

According to another aspect of the inventive concepts, there is provideda solid state drive apparatus including a substrate on which a pluralityof semiconductor chips including a controller chip and at least onenon-volatile memory chip are mounted, a heat dissipation membercomprising an isolation barrier facing an end of the substrate and aplurality of fin portions extending from the isolation barrier in adirection away from the substrate and a housing comprising an upperhousing and a lower housing and accommodating the substrate and the heatdissipation member.

Each of the plurality of fin portions may have a planar shape and isparallel to a main surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, eachof the plurality of fin portions may be perpendicular or oblique to amain surface of the substrate.

A plurality of through air holes may be provided in a side of thehousing adjacent to the plurality of fin portions. The side of thehousing may be a lateral side that is perpendicular to the main surfaceof the substrate, or may be parallel to the main surface of thesubstrate.

Each of the plurality of semiconductor chips may thermally contact thehousing with a thermal interface material (TIM) included therebetween,and the isolation barrier may thermally contact the housing.

A solid state drive apparatus according to further embodiments includesa housing including a first compartment and a second compartmenttherein; a printed circuit board in the first compartment; at least onenon-volatile memory chip is mounted on the printed circuit board; anisolation barrier between the first compartment and the secondcompartment, wherein the isolation barrier blocks air flow between thefirst compartment and the second compartment; a heat dissipation memberin the second compartment and thermally coupled through the isolationbarrier to the printed circuit board in the first compartment; and aplurality of through air holes in a side of the housing adjacent thesecond compartment, the plurality of through air holes permittingairflow through the second compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the inventive concepts will be more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a solid state drive apparatus accordingto an example embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 1B is a side view of a solid state drive apparatus according to anexample embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view of a solid state driveapparatus according to an example embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 3 is an expanded perspective view of a heat dissipation memberincluded in a solid state drive apparatus according to an exampleembodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating major portions of a solidstate drive apparatus according to an example embodiment of theinventive concepts;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating major portions of a solidstate drive apparatus according to an example embodiment of theinventive concepts;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a solid state drive apparatus accordingto an example embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 6B is a side view of a solid state drive apparatus according to anexample embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 7A is a disassembled perspective view of a solid state driveapparatus according to an example embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 7B is a plan view illustrating internal arrangement of a solidstate drive apparatus according to an example embodiment of theinventive concepts;

FIG. 8 is an expanded perspective view of a second heat dissipationmember included in a solid state drive apparatus according to an exampleembodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 9 is a structural diagram illustrating a system according to anexample embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 10 is a structural diagram illustrating a solid state driveapparatus according to example embodiments of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a system according to an exampleembodiment of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a solid state drive apparatus accordingto further embodiments of the inventive concepts.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating portions of a solid statedrive apparatus according to further embodiments of the inventiveconcepts.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are cross-sectional view illustrating portions of asolid state drive apparatus according to various embodiments of theinventive concepts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The inventive concepts will now be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of theinventive concepts are shown. The inventive concepts may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as beinglimited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the inventive concepts to one of ordinary skill in theart. In the drawings, lengths and sizes of components may be exaggeratedfor convenience of explanation, and a ratio between the sizes ofcomponents may be enlarged or reduced.

It will be understood that when a component is referred to as being “on”another component or as “contacting” another component, the componentcan be directly on or directly contact another component or interveningcomponents may be present. In contrast, when a component is referred toas being “directly on” another component or “directly contacting”another element, there are no intervening components present. Otherexpressions describing relationships between components, such as,“between” and “directly between”, will also be similarly understood.

While such terms as “first”, “second”, etc., may be used to describevarious components, such components should not be limited to the aboveterms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component fromanother. For example, a first component discussed below could be termeda second component, and similarly, a second component may be termed afirst component, without departing from the teachings of thisdisclosure.

An expression used in the singular form encompasses the expression inthe plural form, unless it has a clearly different meaning in thecontext. In the present specification, it is to be understood that theterms such as “including” or “having”, etc., are intended to indicatethe existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components,parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and arenot intended to preclude the possibility that one or more otherfeatures, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinationsthereof may added.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

Unless defined differently, all terms used in the description have thesame meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art.

Hereinafter, the inventive concepts will be described more fully withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments ofthe inventive concepts are shown.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a solid state drive apparatus 10according to an example embodiment of the inventive concepts. FIG. 1B isa side view of the solid state drive apparatus 10 according to anexample embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the solid state drive apparatus 10includes a housing 200 and a heat dissipation member 300 mounted in thehousing 200.

The solid state drive apparatus 10 may include first through fourthcorners CN1, CN2, CN3, and CN4 and first through fourth sides EG1, EG2,EG3, and EG4. Lateral sides of the housing 200 may be the first throughfourth sides EG1, EG2, EG3, and EG4. The lateral sides of the housing200 forming the first through fourth sides EG1, EG2, EG3, and EG4 may berespectively referred to as first through fourth lateral sides.

The housing 200 may be formed of a single material or a combination ofdifferent materials, which may be selected in consideration of thermaltransfer characteristics of the materials. For example, the housing 200may be formed of a metal, a carbonic material, a polymer material, or acombination of these, but is not limited thereto. The housing 200 may beformed of, for example, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, or a cladmetal including these. Alternatively, the housing 200 may be formed of apolymer material, such as an epoxy resin, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA),polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), or polypropylene (PP).

A plurality of through air holes 230 may be formed in a lateral side ofthe housing 200. For example, the plurality of through air holes 230 maybe formed in a lateral side of the housing 200 adjacent to the heatdissipation member 300.

The housing 200 may include an upper housing 210 and a lower housing220. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate that portions of the lower housing 220provide most of the side portions of the housing 200, but the inventiveconcepts are not limited thereto. For example, side portions of thehousing 200 may be modified by allowing portions of the upper housing210 to correspond to most of side portions of the housing 200, or byforming side portions of the housing 200 such that the upper housing 210and the lower housing 210 have similar proportions.

Thus, while the plurality of through air holes 230 are illustrated asbeing formed in the lower housing 220, the inventive concepts are notlimited thereto. For example, the plurality of through air holes 230 maybe formed in the upper housing 210. Alternatively, some of the throughair holes 230 may be formed in the upper housing 210, and some othersmay be formed in the lower housing 220. Moreover, as will be describedin more detail below, one or more air holes 230 may be formed in a topsurface of the upper housing 210 or a bottom surface of the lowerhousing 220.

FIG. 2 is a disassembled perspective view of a solid state driveapparatus 10 according to an example embodiment of the inventiveconcepts. Description provided with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B aboveand also applied to the example embodiment of FIG. 2 may be omittedbelow.

Referring to FIG. 2, the solid state drive apparatus 10 includes thehousing 200 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) the substrate 100, a plurality ofsemiconductor chips 110 and the heat dissipation member 300 mounted inthe housing 200.

The plurality of semiconductor chips 110 may be mounted on one or twosurfaces of the substrate 100. The semiconductor chips 110 may beelectrically connected to the substrate 100. The plurality ofsemiconductor chips 110 may include at least one non-volatile memorychip 112, a controller chip 114, and an auxiliary memory chip 116.Multiple ones of each type of chip may be mounted on the substrate 100.Moreover, more than one substrate 100 may be included within the housing200.

The substrate 100 may be, for example, a printed circuit board. Thesubstrate 100 may include a substrate base and an upper pad (not shown)and a lower pad (not shown) respectively formed on upper and lowersurfaces of the substrate base. The upper pad and the lower pad may beeach exposed by a solder resist layer (not shown) covering the upper andlower surfaces of the substrate base. The substrate base may be formedof at least one of a phenolic resin, an epoxy resin, and polyimide. Forexample, the substrate base may include at least one of flame retardant4 (FR4), tetrafunctional epoxy, polyphenylene ether, epoxy/polyphenyleneoxide, bismaleimide triazine (BT), thermount, cyanate ester, polyimide,and liquid crystal polymer. The upper pad and the lower pad may beformed of copper, nickel, stainless steel, or beryllium copper. Aninternal wiring (not shown) that is electrically connected to the upperpad and/or the lower pad may be formed in the substrate base. The upperpad and the lower pad may include portions of circuit wirings formed bycoating an upper surface and a lower surface of the substrate base withcopper coil and patterning on the upper and lower surfaces of thesubstrate base to form circuit wirings, and then exposing portions ofthe circuit wirings via the solder resist layer. The substrate base mayinclude a plurality of base layers, and the substrate 100 may havelayers formed to have wirings on the upper and lower surfaces of thesubstrate base and between the plurality of base layers. That is, thesubstrate 100 may have a plurality of layers. The substrate 100 mayinclude, for example, wirings, such as a circuit wiring orheat-conducting wiring formed in the plurality of layers, and theinternal wiring, such as a connection wiring connecting the wirings ofthe plurality of layers.

The non-volatile memory chip 112 may be, for example, a NAND flashmemory, a resistive random access memory (RRAM), a magnetoresistive RAM(MRAM), a phase-change RAM (PRAM), or a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM). Thenon-volatile memory chip 112 may include a single non-volatile memorychip or a semiconductor package in which a plurality of non-volatilememory chips are stacked.

The controller chip 114 may provide an interface and a protocol betweena host and the non-volatile memory chip 112. The controller chip 114 mayprovide standard protocols such as PATA, SATA, SCSI, or PCIe, forinterfacing between the non-volatile memory chip 112 and the host. Also,the controller chip 114 may perform, with respect to the non-volatilememory chip 112, wear leveling, garbage collection, bad blockmanagement, or error correcting code (ECC) or the like.

The auxiliary memory chip 116 may be a non-volatile memory chip, such asa dynamic RAM (DRAM). The auxiliary memory chip 116 may provide cache soas to scale access time and data transfer performance according toprocess performance of a system in which the solid state drive apparatus10 is included.

Active or passive elements, such as a chip resistor, a chip capacitor,inductance, a switch, a temperature sensor, a DC-DC converter, a quartzgenerating a clock, or a voltage regulator may be further mounted on thesubstrate 100.

A connector 150 may be attached to an end of the substrate 100. Theconnector may be connected to an external device to transmit or receivea signal and/or receive power. A plurality of wiring lines (not shown)may be formed in the connector 150. The connector 150 may be a connectorconfigured to be connected to an external device according to, forexample, parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA) standards,serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) standards, small computersmall interface (SCSI) standards, or PCI Express (PCIe) standards. TheSATA standards include not only SATA-1 but any SATA standards such asSATA-2, SATA-3, or e-SATA (external SATA). The PCIe standards includenot only PCIe 1.0 but any PCIe standards such as PCIe 2.0, PCIe 2.1,PCIe 3.0, or PCIe 4.0. The SCSI standards include any SCSI standardssuch as parallel SCSI standards, serial combination SA-SCSI (SAS)standards, or iSCSI standards.

The housing 200 may include the lower housing 220 and the upper housing210 on the lower housing 220. The housing 200 may have a firstaccommodation space 240 and a second accommodation space 250 between theupper housing 210 and the lower housing 220. The first accommodationspace 240 may be adjacent to the first side EG1, and the secondaccommodation space 250 may be adjacent to the third side EG3.

The substrate 100 may be mounted in the first accommodation space 240,and the heat dissipation member 300 may be mounted in the secondaccommodation space 250.

The substrate 100 may be mounted in the first accommodation space 240such that the connector 150 faces the third side EG3 of the solid statedrive apparatus 10. That is, the substrate 100 may be mounted in thefirst accommodation space 240 such that the connector 150 faces a thirdlateral side of the housing 200 which is the third side EG3 of the solidstate drive apparatus 10.

The heat dissipation member 300 may include an isolation barrier 310between the first accommodation space 240 and the second accommodationspace 250. In particular, the isolation barrier 310 may define aboundary of the second accommodation space 250 with respect to the firstaccommodation space 240. The heat dissipation member 300 may alsoinclude a plurality of fin portions 320 extending from the isolationbarrier 310 towards a lateral side of the housing 200. That is, theplurality of fin portions 320 may extend from the isolation barrier 310towards the lateral side of the housing 200 adjacent the secondaccommodation space 250. Each of the plurality of fin portions 320 mayhave a planar shape and be parallel to a main surface of the substrate100.

The heat dissipation member 300 may be mounted adjacent to an oppositeside to the third lateral side of the housing 200, that is, to beadjacent to the first lateral side of the housing 200 which is the firstside EG1 of the solid state drive apparatus 10.

The plurality of fin portions 320 may increase a total area of the heatdissipation member 300 in the second accommodation space 250. The heatdissipation member 300 may be formed of a relatively highlythermoconductive metal, for example, copper, aluminum, or a clad metalincluding these.

In some example embodiments, the heat dissipation member 300 may beformed of a single body. That is, the isolation barrier 310 and theplurality of fin portions 320 of the heat dissipation member 300 may beformed as a single body.

In other embodiments, the isolation barrier 310 and the plurality of finportions 320 may be separate elements. That is, an isolation barrier 310may be provided between the first and second accommodation spaces 240,250, and a separate heat dissipation member including the plurality offin portions 320 may be provided on the isolation barrier 310.

The isolation barrier 310 separates the first and second accommodationspaces 240 250, so that the substrate 100 and the heat dissipationmember 300 are located in substantially different compartments in thehousing 200. In other words, the isolation barrier 310 defines the firstaccommodation space 240 and the second accommodation space 250 to besubstantially different compartments of the housing 200. The isolationbarrier 310 may substantially reduce or prevent airflow between thefirst and second accommodation spaces 240, 250. The second accommodationspace 250, in which the plurality of fin portions 320 are provided, maybe designed to permit airflow therethrough. It may not be desirable toencourage airflow through the first accommodation space 240 in which theelectronic circuitry is disposed. However, it is desirable to removeheat from first accommodation space 240. Embodiments of the inventiveconcepts may promote heat dissipation from the electronic circuitry inthe first accommodation space 240 through the isolation barrier 310 andthe plurality of fins 320 in the second accommodation space 250 whilereducing external airflow into the first accommodation space 240.

The isolation barrier 310 may thermally contact the housing 200, thatis, the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220. In order for theisolation barrier 310 to thermally contact the housing 200, a thermalinterface material (TIM) may be provided between the isolation barrier310 and the housing 200. Alternatively, the isolation barrier 310 andthe upper housing 210 and/or the lower housing 220 may be bonded to eachother via press fitting or welding.

The plurality of through air holes 230 may be formed in a lateral sideof the housing 200 around the second accommodation space 250. That is,the plurality of through air holes 230 may be formed in portions of thefirst side EG1 and the second and fourth sides EG2 and EG4 of the solidstate drive apparatus 10 adjacent to the first side EG1. Thus, theplurality of through air holes 230 may be formed in a lateral side ofthe housing 200 adjacent to the plurality of fin portions 320.

In some example embodiments, a plurality of through air holes 230 maynot be formed in the entire first lateral side of the housing 200, whichforms the first side EG1 of the solid state drive apparatus 10, but onlyin portions of the first lateral side of the housing 200. For example, aplurality of through air holes 230 may be formed in portions of alateral side of the housing 200 adjacent to the first and second cornersCN1 and CN2 at two ends of the first side EG1 of the solid state driveapparatus 10. That is, the plurality of through air holes 230 may beformed in a portion of each of first and fourth lateral sides of thehousing 200 that are adjacent to the first corner CN1 and anotherportion of the first lateral side and a portion of a second lateral sideof the housing 200 that are adjacent to the second corner CN2.

When there is a forced convection environment outside the solid statedrive apparatus 10, that is, when there is an air flow, the air flow mayproceed into the second accommodation space 250 through some of theplurality of through air holes 230. Accordingly, the air flowencountering the fin portions 320 of the heat dissipation member 300 mayproceed out of the solid state drive apparatus 10 through some of theother through air holes 230.

Thus, heat generated inside the solid state drive apparatus 10 may bedissipated via both the housing 200 and the heat dissipation member 300.Accordingly, a heat dissipation function of the solid state driveapparatus 10, that is, a cooling function thereof may be increased, eventhough the air flow does not flow into the first accommodation space 240from the second accommodation space 250.

In some example embodiments, the isolation barrier 310 may thermallycontact the heat-conducting wiring of the substrate 100. Accordingly,heat may be transferred directly from the substrate 100 to the heatdissipation member 300 without passing by the housing 200, therebyimproving cooling performance.

FIG. 3 is an expanded perspective view of a heat dissipation member 300included in a solid state drive apparatus according to an exampleembodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat dissipation member 300 may includethe isolation barrier 310 provided at a boundary of the secondaccommodation space 250 with respect to the first accommodation space240 and the plurality of fin portions 320 extending from the isolationbarrier 310 towards a lateral side of the housing 200. That is, theplurality of fin portions 320 may extend from the isolation barrier 310towards a lateral side of the housing 200 around the secondaccommodation space 250. Each of the plurality of fin portions 320 mayhave a planar shape and may be parallel to a main surface of thesubstrate 100. An open portion 320R may be formed between respective finportions 320 towards the lateral side of the housing 200. An air flowproceeding into the second accommodation space 250 through some of thethrough air holes 230 may contact the plurality of fin portions 320through the open portion 320R and receive heat from the heat dissipationmember 300.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating major portions of a solidstate drive apparatus according to an example embodiment of theinventive concepts. In detail, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating major portions of the solid state drive apparatus 10 ofFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2B. Description provided with reference to FIGS. 1Athrough 3 and also applied to the example embodiment of FIG. 4 may beomitted below.

Referring to FIG. 4, the solid state drive apparatus 10 includes thehousing 200 the substrate 100, the plurality of semiconductor chips 110and the heat dissipation member 300 mounted in the housing 200.

The plurality of semiconductor chips 110 may be mounted on one or twosurfaces of the substrate 100. The semiconductor chips 110 may beelectrically connected to the substrate 100. The plurality ofsemiconductor chips 110 may include at least one non-volatile memorychip (the non-volatile memory chip 112 of FIG. 2), a controller chip(the controller chip 114 of FIG. 2) and an auxiliary memory chip (theauxiliary memory chip 116 of FIG. 2).

The plurality of semiconductor chips 110 may be electrically connectedto the substrate 100 via a connection member 120. The connection member120 may be, for example, a solder ball or a bump. Alternatively, theplurality of semiconductor chips 110 may be electrically connected tothe substrate 100 via a bonding wire. For example, some of the pluralityof semiconductor chips 110 may be mounted on the substrate 100 in a flipchip manner so as to be electrically connected to the substrate 100 viathe connection member 120 such as a solder ball or a bump, and someother of the semiconductor chips 110 may be mounted on the substrate 100by using a die attach film (DAF) so as to be electrically connected tothe substrate 100 via a bonding wire.

For example, the non-volatile memory chip 112 and/or the controller chip114 of the plurality of semiconductor chips 110 may be mounted on thesubstrate 100 in a flip chip manner so as to be electrically connectedto the substrate 100 via the connection member 120 such as a solder ballor a bump, and the auxiliary memory chip 116 may be mounted on thesubstrate 100 by using a DAF so as to be electrically connected to thesubstrate 100 via a bonding wire, but are not limited thereto.

A thermal interface material (TIM) 130 may be provided on the pluralityof semiconductor chips 110. The plurality of semiconductor chips 110 maythermally contact the housing 200 via the TIM 130. Some of the pluralityof semiconductor chips 110 may thermally contact the upper housing 210via the TIM 130, and some others of the plurality of semiconductor chips110 may thermally contact the lower housing 220 via the TIM 130. The TIM130 is a material facilitating transfer of heat generated in theplurality of semiconductor chips 110, to the housing 200. The TIM 130may be, for example, grease, a thermoconductive adhesive, mineral oil, agap filler putty, a gel or a pad formed of a phase change material, or aparticle filled epoxy. Examples of commercially available grease areShinEtsu G750, ShinEtsu G751, ShinEtsu G765, and Bergquist TIC-7500;examples of the commercially available phase-change material are ThermaxHF60110-BT, Chromerics T725, Chromerics T443, Chromerics T454, ThermagonT-pcm 905c, Bergquist 200U, Bergquist HiFlow 225-U, and Bergquist HiFlow225-UT; and examples of commercially available thermoconductive adhesiveare Chromerics therm-A-form T642. However, the TIM 130 is not limitedthereto.

The housing 200 may include the lower housing 220 and the upper housing210 covering the lower housing 220. The housing 200 may have the firstaccommodation space 240 and the second accommodation space 250 betweenthe upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220. The substrate 100 maybe mounted in the first accommodation space 240, and the heatdissipation member 300 may be mounted in the second accommodation space250.

The heat dissipation member 300 may include the isolation barrier 310 ata boundary of the second accommodation space 250 with respect to thefirst accommodation space 240 and the plurality of fin portions 320extending from the isolation barrier 310 towards a side EG of the solidstate drive apparatus 10, that is, towards a lateral side of the housing200. That is, the plurality of fin portions 320 may extend from theisolation barrier 310 towards a lateral side of the housing 200 aroundthe second accommodation space 250. Each of the plurality of finportions 320 may have a planar shape and be parallel to a main surfaceof the substrate 100. In some example embodiments, the heat dissipationmember 300 may be formed of a single body. That is, the isolationbarrier 310 and the plurality of fin portions 320 of the heatdissipation member 300 may be formed as a single body.

The isolation barrier 310 defines the first and second accommodationspaces 240, 250, such that the substrate 100 and the heat dissipationmember 300 are located in substantially different compartments in thehousing 200. In other words, the isolation barrier 310 provides theeffect that the first accommodation space 240 and the secondaccommodation space 250 are substantially different compartments of thehousing 200.

The isolation barrier 310 may thermally contact the housing 200, thatis, the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220. In order for theisolation barrier 310 to thermally contact the housing 200, a TIM may beprovided between the isolation barrier 310 and the housing 200.Alternatively, the isolation barrier 310 and the upper housing 210and/or the lower housing 220 may be bonded to each other via pressfitting or welding.

The side EG of the solid state drive apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 4may be a portion of the first side EG1, the second side EG2, or thefourth side EG4 of the solid state drive apparatus 10 adjacent to theplurality of fin portions 320 illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2.

The plurality of through air holes 230 may be formed in a lateral sideof the housing 200. The plurality of through air holes 230 may be formedin a lateral side of the housing 200 adjacent to the heat dissipationmember 300.

When there is a forced convection environment outside the solid statedrive apparatus 10, that is, when there is an air flow, the air flow mayproceed into the second accommodation space 250 through some of thethrough air holes 230. Accordingly, the air flow encountering the finportions 320 of the heat dissipation member 300 may proceed out of thesolid state drive apparatus 10 through some others of the through airholes 230. The forced convection environment may be formed by a coolingfan 1060 illustrated in FIG. 9.

Thus, heat generated inside the solid state drive apparatus 10 and theheat transferred to the housing 200 through the TIM 130 may bedissipated to the outside of the housing 200 through the heatdissipation member 300. Accordingly, a heat dissipation function of thesolid state drive apparatus 10, that is, a cooling function thereof, maybe increased.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating major portions of a solidstate drive apparatus according to an example embodiment of theinventive concepts. In detail, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating major portions of the solid state drive apparatus 10 ofFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2B. Description provided with reference to FIGS. 1Athrough 4 and also applied to the example embodiment of FIG. 5 may beomitted below.

Referring to FIG. 5, the solid state drive apparatus 10 includes thehousing 200, the substrate 100, the plurality of semiconductor chips 110and the heat dissipation member 300 mounted in the housing 200.

The plurality of semiconductor chips 110 may be mounted on one or twosurfaces of the substrate 100. The semiconductor chips 110 may beelectrically connected to the substrate 100.

The substrate 100 may be, for example, a printed circuit board. Thesubstrate 100 may include a substrate base and an upper pad (not shown)and a lower pad (not shown) respectively formed on upper and lowersurfaces of the substrate base. An internal wiring electricallyconnecting the upper pad and the lower pad may be formed in thesubstrate base. Some of the internal wiring may be the heat-conductingwiring 104.

The heat dissipation member 300 may contact the substrate 100. Indetail, the isolation barrier 310 of the heat dissipation member 300 maythermally contact the heat-conducting wiring 104 in the substrate 100.Accordingly, heat generated inside the solid state drive apparatus 10,for example, in the semiconductor chips 110, may be directly transferredto the heat dissipation member 300 through the substrate 100. In someexample embodiments, the heat-conducting wiring 104 may be connected toa ground voltage GND to be grounded.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a solid state drive apparatus10 a according to an example embodiment of the inventive concepts. FIG.6B is a side view of the solid state drive apparatus 10 a according toan example embodiment of the inventive concepts. Description providedwith reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B and also applied to the exampleembodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B may be omitted below.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the solid state drive apparatus 10 aincludes a housing 200 a and first and second heat dissipation members300 and 302 mounted in the housing 200 a. The housing 200 a may includean upper housing 210 a and a lower housing 220 a.

A plurality of first through air holes 230 and a plurality of secondthrough air holes 232 may be formed in a lateral side of the housing 200a. The plurality of first through air holes 230 may be formed in alateral side of the housing 200 a adjacent to the first heat dissipationmember 300. The plurality of second through air holes 232 may be formedin a lateral side of the housing 200 a adjacent to the second heatdissipation member 302.

FIG. 7A is a disassembled perspective view of a solid state driveapparatus 10 a according to an example embodiment of the inventiveconcepts. FIG. 7B is a plan view illustrating internal arrangement ofthe solid state drive apparatus 10 a according to an example embodimentof the inventive concepts. Description provided with reference to FIGS.6A and 6B and also applied to the example embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7Bmay be omitted below.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the solid state drive apparatus 10 aincludes the housing 200 a (FIGS. 6A and 6B) a substrate 100 a mountedin the housing 200 a, a plurality of semiconductor chips 110 and thefirst and second heat dissipation members 300 and 302. In some exampleembodiments, the first heat dissipation member 300 may be omitted.

The plurality of semiconductor chips 110 may be mounted on one or twosurfaces of the substrate 100 a. The semiconductor chips 110 may beelectrically connected to the substrate 100 a. The plurality ofsemiconductor chips 110 may include at least one non-volatile memorychip 112, a controller chip 114, and an auxiliary memory chip 116.

A connector 150 may be attached to an end of the substrate 100 a. Asubstrate recess 102 may be formed in a portion of the substrate 100 acorresponding to a fourth corner CN4.

The housing 200 a may include the lower housing 220 a and the upperhousing 210 a covering the lower housing 220 a. The housing 200 a mayinclude a first accommodation space 240, a second accommodation space250, and a third accommodation space 252 between the upper housing 210 aand the lower housing 220 a. The first accommodation space 240 may beadjacent to a first side EG1, and the second accommodation space 250 maybe adjacent to a third side EG3, and the third accommodation space 252may be adjacent to the fourth corner CN4.

The substrate 100 a may be mounted in the first accommodation space 240,and the first heat dissipation member 300 may be mounted in the secondaccommodation space 250, and the second heat dissipation member 302 maybe mounted in the third accommodation space 252. The substrate 100 a maybe disposed in the first accommodation space 240 such that the connector150 faces the third side EG3 of the solid state drive apparatus 10 a.

The first heat dissipation member 300 includes a first isolation barrier310 and a plurality of first fin portions 320 extending from the firstisolation barrier 310. The first heat dissipation member 300 and theplurality of first through air holes 230 are substantially the same asthe heat dissipation member 300 and the plurality of through air holes230 illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and thus detailed descriptionthereof will be omitted.

The second heat dissipation member 302 may be mounted in the thirdaccommodation space 252 of the housing 200 a to be adjacent to thefourth corner CN4 of the solid state drive apparatus 10 a. The secondheat dissipation member 302 may include a second isolation barrier 312disposed at a boundary of the third accommodation space 252 with respectto the first accommodation space 240 and a plurality of second finportions 322 extending from the second isolation barrier 312 towards alateral side of the housing 200 a. That is, the second isolation barrier312 may define the boundary between the first accommodation space 240and the third accommodation space 252.

The second isolation barrier 312 may include a first barrier portion 312a and a second barrier portion 312 b that extend in different directionsand that are connected to each other. For example, the first barrierportion 312 a may extend in parallel to the third side EG3, and thesecond barrier portion 312 b may extend in parallel to a fourth sideEG4. While the first barrier portion 312 a and the second barrierportion 312 b may extend perpendicularly to each other, theconfiguration of these elements is not limited thereto. The thirdaccommodation space 252 may be space at an acute angle between the firstbarrier portion 312 a and the second barrier portion 312 b.

The plurality of second fin portions 322 may extend from the secondisolation barrier 312 towards a lateral side of the housing 200 a aroundthe third accommodation space 252. Each of the plurality of second finportions 322 is connected to both the first barrier portion 312 a andthe second barrier portion 312 b, and may extend from the first barrierportion 312 a and the second barrier portion 312 b towards the lateralside of the housing 200 a around the third accommodation space 252. Eachof the second fin portions 322 may have a planar shape and be parallelto a main surface of the substrate 100 a.

The plurality of fin portions 322 may increase a total area of thesecond heat dissipation member 302 in the third accommodation space 252.The second heat dissipation member 302 may be formed of, for example,copper, aluminum, or a clad metal including these. In some exampleembodiments, the second heat dissipation member 302 may be formed of asingle body. That is, the first barrier portion 312 a, the secondbarrier portion 312 b, and the fin portions 322 of the second heatdissipation member 302 may be formed as a single body. In other exampleembodiments, the first barrier portion 312 a, the second barrier portion312 b, and the fin portions 322 of the second heat dissipation member302 may be separate members.

The second isolation barrier 312 may provide the effect that thesubstrate 100 a and the second heat dissipation member 302 are locatedin substantially different compartments in the housing 200 a. In otherwords, the second isolation barrier 312 may provide the effect that thefirst accommodation space 240 and the third accommodation space 252 aresubstantially different compartments of the housing 200 a. Moreover, thesecond accommodation space 250 and the third accommodation space 252 maybe substantially different compartments of the housing 200 a.

The second isolation barrier 312 may thermally contact the housing 200 aincluding the upper housing 210 a and the lower housing 220 a. Toenhance a thermal connection between the second isolation barrier 312and the housing 200 a, a TIM may be provided between the secondisolation barrier 312 and the housing 200 a. Alternatively, the secondisolation barrier 312 and the upper housing 210 a and/or the lowerhousing 220 a may be bonded to each other via press fitting or welding.

The plurality of second through air holes 232 may be formed in a lateralside of the housing 200 a around the third accommodation space 252. Thatis, the plurality of second through air holes 232 may be formed inportions of the third and fourth sides EG3 and EG4 adjacent to thefourth corner CN4 of the solid state drive apparatus 10 a. Thus, theplurality of second through air holes 232 may be formed in a lateralside of the housing 200 a adjacent to the plurality of second finportions 322.

The second heat dissipation member 302 may be mounted in the housing 200a such that the second heat dissipation member 302 is adjacent to thesemiconductor chips 110 in which a relatively large amount of heat isgenerated. For example, the second heat dissipation member 302 may bemounted in the housing 200 a to be adjacent to a portion of thesubstrate 100 a on which the controller chip 114 is mounted. Thecontroller chip 114 may be mounted on the substrate 100 a to be closerto the connector 150 than the at least one non-volatile memory chip 112.The second heat dissipation member 302 may be mounted in the housing 200a to be adjacent to the third side EG3 of the solid state driveapparatus 10 a at which the connector 150 is disposed. Thus, the thirdaccommodation space 252 in which the second heat dissipation member 302is mounted may be adjacent to the fourth corner CN4 which is an end ofthe third side EG3.

Although the substrate 100 a and the second isolation barrier 312 areillustrated as not contacting each other in FIG. 7B, the exampleembodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the substrate 100 aand the second isolation barrier 312 may contact each other in a similarmanner in which the substrate 100 and the isolation barrier 310 of FIG.5 contact each other. In detail, the second isolation barrier 312 maythermally contact a heat-conducting wiring (not shown) in the substrate100 a in a similar manner in which the isolation barrier 310 thermallycontacts the heat-conducting wiring 104 illustrated in FIG. 5.

In some example embodiments, when the first and second isolationbarriers 310 and 312 both contact the substrate 100 a, the firstisolation barrier 310 may thermally contact a first heat-conductingwiring (not shown) connected to the at least one non-volatile memorychip 112, and the second isolation barrier 312 may thermally contact asecond heat-conducting wiring (not shown) connected to the controllerchip 114. The first and second heat-conducting wirings (not shown) maybe connected to a ground voltage to be grounded. In some exampleembodiments, the first and second heat-conducting wirings may not beconnected, but may be separated in the substrate 100 a.

FIG. 8 is an expanded perspective view of the second heat dissipationmember 302 included in a solid state drive apparatus according to anexample embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 8, the second heat dissipation member 302 maybe mounted in the third accommodation space 252. The second heatdissipation member 302 may include the second isolation barrier 312 andthe plurality of second fin portions 322 extending from the secondisolation barrier 312 towards a lateral side of the housing 200 a. Thesecond isolation barrier 312 may be provided at a boundary of the thirdaccommodation space 252 with respect to the first accommodation space240. In some embodiments, the second isolation barrier 312 may define aboundary between the third accommodation space 252 and the firstaccommodation space 240.

The second isolation barrier 312 may include the first barrier portion312 a and the second barrier portion 312 b that extend in differentdirections and that are connected to each other. While the secondbarrier portion 312 a and the second barrier portion 312 b may extendperpendicularly to each other, they are not limited thereto.

The second fin portions 322 may extend from the second isolation barrier312 towards a lateral side of the housing 200 a around the thirdaccommodation space 252. Each of the fin portions 322 is connected toboth the first barrier portion 312 a and the second barrier portion 312b, and may extend from the first barrier portion 312 a and the secondbarrier portion 312 b towards a lateral side of the housing 200 a aroundthe third accommodation space 252. Each of the plurality of second finportions 322 may have a planar shape and be parallel to a main surfaceof the substrate 100 a. An open portion 322R may be formed towards alateral side of the housing 200 a between respective second fin portions322. An air flow proceeding into the third accommodation space 252through some of the second through air holes 232 may contact theplurality of second fin portions 322 through the open portion 322R toreceive heat from the second heat dissipation member 302.

FIG. 9 is a structural diagram illustrating a system 1000 according toan example embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 9, the system 1000 may include a case 1010, a rack1020 in which a plurality of solid state drive apparatuses 1040 aremounted, a management device unit 1050, and a power supply unit 1070.The solid state drive apparatuses 1040 may be one of the solid statedrive apparatuses 10 and 10 a described with reference to FIGS. 1through 8.

The system 1000 may further include a cooling fan 1060 providing aforced convection environment therein. An air flow formed in the system1000 via the cooling fan 1060 may cool the solid state drive apparatuses1040 through a through air hole 1043 formed in the solid state driveapparatuses 1040.

The power supply unit 1070 may supply power needed for the solid statedrive apparatuses 1040, the management device unit 1050, and the coolingfan 1060 in the system 1000.

The system 1000 may be a data storage system such as a network-attachedstorage (NAS).

FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of a solid state drive apparatus 1100according to example embodiments of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 10, the solid state drive apparatus 1100 includes aplurality of non-volatile memories 1110 and a controller 1120. Thenon-volatile memories 1120 may store data, and may have non-volatilecharacteristics of retaining stored data even if power supply isstopped. The solid state drive apparatus 1100 may be one of the solidstate drive apparatuses 10 and 10 a described with reference to FIGS. 1through 8.

The controller 1120 may read data stored in the non-volatile memories1110 or store data in the non-volatile memories 1110 in response to arequest for reading or writing of a host HOST. An interface 1130 maytransmit or receive a command and an address signal to or from the hostHOST, and may again transmit or receive a command and an address signalto or from the non-volatile memories 1110 via the controller 1120.

The solid state drive apparatus 1100 may further include an activeelement or a passive element such as a resistor, a capacitor,inductance, a switch, a temperature sensor, a DC-DC converter, a quartzgenerating a clock, or a voltage regulator.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a system 1200 according to an exampleembodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 11, the system 1200 may include a processor 1230 suchas a CPU, a random access memory (RAM) 1240, a user interface 1250, anda modem 1220 that communicate with one another via a common bus 1260.The elements above may transmit or receive a signal to or from a storagedevice 1210 via a common bus 1260. The storage device 1210 may include aflash memory 1211 and a memory controller 1212. The flash memory 1211may store data, and may have non-volatile characteristics of retainingstored data even if power supply is stopped. The storage device 1210 maybe one of the solid state drive apparatuses 10 and 10 a described withreference to FIGS. 1 through 8.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a solid state drive apparatus 10Baccording to further embodiments of the inventive concepts. In theembodiments illustrated in FIG. 12, a plurality of through air holes 230are provided in a top surface of the upper housing 210 above the secondaccommodation space 250. While not illustrated in FIG. 12, a pluralityof through air holes 230 may also be provided in a bottom surface of thelower housing 220 beneath the second accommodation space 250. Thethrough air holes 230 in the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 200may be provided instead of or in addition to the through air holes 230in the sidewalls of the housing 200.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating major portions of a solidstate drive apparatus according to further embodiments of the inventiveconcepts. In the embodiments of FIG. 13, the fin portions 320 of theheat dissipation member 300 may be oriented in a vertical arrangementsuch that they are perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of thehousing 200, and are parallel to the lateral sides of the housing 200.This arrangement may enhance airflow from through air holes 230 that areprovided in the top and bottom surfaces of the housing 200 asillustrated in FIG. 12.

The orientation of the fin portions 320 is not limited to the verticalor horizontal arrangements illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4 and FIG.12. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the fin portionsmay be oriented at oblique angles to the top, bottom and sides of thehousing 200. For example, in the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 13A,all of the fin portions 320 are angled in a first direction. In FIGS.14B and 14C, some of the fin portions are angled inward, while others ofthe fin portions are angled outward with respect to the lateral sides ofthe housing 200.

While the inventive concepts has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to example embodiments thereof, it will be understoodthat various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A solid state drive apparatus comprising: ahousing having a plurality of holes therein, the housing comprising anupper housing and a lower housing; a substrate in the housing; anon-volatile memory chip and a controller chip on the substrate; and aconnector having plurality wiring lines, the connector mechanicallyattached at an edge of the substrate, electrically coupled to thecontroller chip and externally accessible at a side of the housing; anda heat dissipator in the housing and having a plurality of fins, whereinthe heat dissipator thermally contacts at least one of the upper housingand the lower housing.
 2. The solid state drive apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of the non-volatile memory chip and the controllerchip thermally contacts to the housing.
 3. The solid state driveapparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat dissipator comprises an isolationbarrier separating first and second accommodation spaces within thehousing, and wherein the substrate is in the first accommodation spaceand the plurality of fins are in the second accommodation space.
 4. Thesolid state drive apparatus of claim 3, wherein the plurality of holesare provided in a lateral side of the housing that is around the secondaccommodation space.
 5. The solid state drive apparatus of claim 1,wherein the substrate comprises a heat-conducting wiring, and whereinthe heat-conducting wiring of the substrate is in contact with the heatdissipator.
 6. The solid state drive apparatus of claim 5, theheat-conducting wiring of the substrate is electrically grounded.
 7. Thesolid state drive apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality offins has a planar shape and is parallel to a main surface of thesubstrate.
 8. A solid state drive apparatus comprising: a housingcomprising an upper housing and a lower housing; a printed circuitboard(PCB) in the housing; a non-volatile memory chip and a controllerchip on the PCB; and a connector mechanically attached at an edge of thePCB and electrically coupled to an interface between the non-volatilememory chip and an external device via the controller chip, and a heatdissipator in the housing and having a plurality of fins, the heatdissipator thermally contacting and abutting the upper housing and thelower housing, wherein the housing comprises a plurality of holesadjacent to the plurality of fins.
 9. The solid state drive apparatus ofclaim 8, at least one of the non-volatile memory chip and the controllerchip is thermally coupled to the housing via a thermal interfacematerial.
 10. The solid state drive apparatus of claim 8, wherein theheat dissipator comprises an isolation barrier extending from the upperhousing to the lower housing.
 11. The solid state drive apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the plurality of holes are provided in a lateral sideof the housing and configured to permit air flow between an inner spaceof the housing and the outside of the housing.
 12. The solid state driveapparatus of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of fins has a planarshape and is parallel to a main surface of the PCB, and a side surfaceof the each of the plurality of fins faces the lateral side of thehousing.
 13. The solid state drive apparatus of claim 8, wherein the PCBcomprises a heat-conducting wiring, wherein the heat dissipatorthermally contacts to the heat-conducting wiring of the PCB.
 14. A solidstate drive apparatus comprising: a housing comprising an upper housingand a lower housing; a printed circuit board(PCB) in the housing; anon-volatile memory chip and a controller chip on the PCB; a connectormechanically attached at an edge of the PCB and electrically coupled tointerface with the non-volatile memory chip and a host; and a heatdissipator in the housing thermally contacting with the housing, athermal interface material and the controller chip, wherein the heatfrom the controller chip is dissipated via the thermal interfacematerial and the housing.
 15. The solid state drive apparatus of claim14, wherein the heat dissipator has a plurality of fins which contactsair flow.
 16. The solid state drive apparatus of claim 15, wherein theheat dissipator comprises an isolation barrier separating an inner spaceof the housing into first and second accommodation spaces, the PCB is inthe first accommodation space, the plurality of fins are in the secondaccommodation space, and the isolation barrier is configured to blockair flow between the first accommodation space and the secondaccommodation space.
 17. The solid state drive apparatus of claim 14,wherein the housing comprises a plurality of holes configured to permitair flow between an inner space of the housing and the outside of thehousing.
 18. The solid state drive apparatus of claim 17, wherein theplurality of holes are provided in a lateral side of the housing, andthe heat dissipator has a plurality of fins adjacent to the lateral sideof the housing.
 19. The solid state drive apparatus of claim 18, whereinthe plurality of fins are spaced apart from each other with an openportion provided therebetween, and the plurality of fins are configuredto contact air flow flowing through the open portion.
 20. The solidstate drive apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of holescomprise: a plurality of first holes provided in a lateral side of thehousing; and a plurality of second holes provided in at least one of atop potion of the housing and a bottom portion of the housing.